2018 Subaru Crosstrek transmission problems

Filed Feb 14, 2026 · Transmission · PA

Vehicle was maintained by dealer and out of the blue, started bucking intermittently while driving resulting in an unsafe driving experience. took it to the dealer to evaluate, told us, "They could change the transmission fluid and filter to see if that fixes the problem." they were not sure that would fix the issue. After researching issue, saw there were numerous complaints about the transmission in the 2018 crosstreks. Call a professional transmission shop and will be making an appointment with them in the near future. They told me (and I found out through my own research) if is was the transmission filter and fluid, it would act up all the time, not just intermittently. And... the dealer wanted to charge me $665 to change the filter/fluid and not sure it would fix the problem, seriously? so now I have to wait and see what the transmission shop says. I have also seen post about the ignition box also gives issues, so who knows, maybe it is the ignition cutting out causing it to "buck" every here and there. Either way, the vehicle is unsafe to drive and could potentially cause a major accident if the transmission locks up or the ignition totally cuts out. Should be a recall either way and Subaru should be responsible for it. This is nothing we have done that could've prevented this issue.

Filed Feb 2, 2025 · Transmission · FL

I am writing to formally raise a significant safety concern regarding my 2018 Subaru Crosstrek. I recently discovered a malfunction in the transfer case (pictures attached), specifically involving the center differential gear set, which necessitated immediate replacement. This issue first became apparent while driving at low speeds when I heard a loud, distinctive "clunking" noise, indicating a possible malfunction within the transmission. As a precaution, I took the vehicle to my service mechanic for further diagnosis. After thorough inspection, my mechanic at Roberts Auto Shop (invoice attached) promptly identified the transfer case as the source of the problem. Subsequently, I contacted my local Subaru dealership, North Tampa, where I have previously serviced my vehicle, to inquire whether this issue is known to affect earlier models of the Crosstrek. The service manager expressed surprise that this problem occurred in my manual transmission vehicle, noting that it is typically documented in vehicles with CVT transmissions but rarely in manual models. I further inquired about the availability of any extended warranties or safety recalls related to this known issue. The manager informed me that the vehicle's powertrain warranty covers only up to 60,000 miles or five years, both of which I have exceeded, as my vehicle currently has just over 70,000 miles. My primary safety concern arises from the discovery of metal shavings inside the defective transfer case during its replacement. While the amount is currently minimal, there is a significant risk that this could quickly escalate into a complete transmission failure, posing a considerable safety hazard. I am planning to report this issue to Subaru of America for further investigation and would appreciate your assistance in investigating this matter. I also request that Subaru be held accountable for this known defect, particularly given its potential to jeopardize vehicle safety. Thank you for your support.

Filed Nov 5, 2022 · Acceleration, Body · CA · crash

While I was doing parallel parking, the car on its own went into involuntary, sudden, uncontrolled acceleration & hit a tree & bushes resulting into considerable body damage. Then I called Subaru national customer relations representative & I was told to go to the local Subaru dealer where I had purchased the car about four and a half years ago. The mechanic there told me that he had never heard such incident & he said that since there is no engine light on, there is nothing to scan. And he thought the car was okay. So, I am driving it very cautiously. But, I am concerned. We thought the newer such cars are safer with the high-tech computers on board but I countered this safety problem that I had never come across before.

Filed Dec 7, 2021 · Transmission · FL

under light throttle, car jerks at approximately 25 mph.

Filed Jun 17, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Purchased used in August 2019 - Premium 6MT. Issue has been present since purchase. There is hesitation with acceleration, not only with extremely slow acceleration, but jerking and surging at times. Dangerous when trying to pull out into traffic and driving in general. Appears to be an issue mostly between 2k-3k and then seems to rev properly after 3k, but have noticed jerking up around 4k and over. Had taken to dealer several times before issue was reproducible, then told to be issue with buildup of carbon in fuel lines. Had fuel lines blown, problem lessened, but did not resolve - this was roughly a year ago, problem has continued and worsened. Changed air filter with no change in problem. Multiple other owners on Subaru forums have this same issue, as well as have posted on this website. Subaru needs to recognize this as an issue and resolve. No dashboard lights appear, no sensor issues have been reported. There is also a "knock" or "bloop" sound that comes from the passenger rear of the car, near the gas tank input, when pulling forward from reversing. Not sure if that is part of issue, perhaps too much air is getting into system? It's a very annoying issue; if I had known, I would have kept my Jetta.

Filed Mar 4, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · 56,000 miles · PA

When crossing across traffic to get in the lane from right or left turns. There is slow and sluggish as it wants to stall or stay out in cross traffic to cause a collision!! It has happened since I purchased it from a non subaru dealer beginning of 2021.there should be a recall as this sluggish acceleration problem can cause an accident.

Filed Dec 3, 2019 · Transmission · 6,500 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 subaru crosstrek. The contact stated that when the gear was shifted into reverse, the vehicle would move forward. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,500. The VIN was not available.

Filed Mar 2, 2019 · Transmission, Wheels · 3,150 miles · WA · crash

Vehicle was climbing a residential street with a gradual incline in snow approximately 3 inches of fresh powder with no ice underneath. Vehicle had only 3,150 miles on the odometer and the tires were stock all season yokohama with a good mud/tread rating. The vehicle was climbing the hill very well until at the crest a check engine light and awd light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The tires failed to clean the snow properly and I slid back into a guardrail for approximately 500 feet and there was cosmetic damage to the vehicle as well as the right wheel was bent. Dealership where I traded the vehicle into had 2 other customers trade their 2018 crosstreks due to poor awd system and very dangerous all season tires.

Filed Jan 18, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 7,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 subaru crosstrek. While driving at low speeds, the vehicle stalled and was rear ended. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The air bags did not deploy. There was no body damage to the contact's vehicle. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to irvine subaru (23663 rockfield blvd, lake forest, ca 92630, (949) 837-3500) where it was repaired per technical service bulletin number: 10144878 (equipment, power train, engine); however, the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer. The failure mileage was 7,000.

Filed Sep 26, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · PA

Vehicle has been to the dealership twice since purchased in june 2018 due to jerky, bucking and hesitant acceleration and shifting. On several occasions, hesitancy has almost resulted in being hit while pulling out into traffic and from parking space in lot. This can occur in fwd drive and reverse. Vibration and shaking occurs at about 1700rmp and less occasionally 1100rpm.